Many people always forget the importance of a fishing reel, until that moment when they have caught a big tuna only to realize that they should have invested in a good one. As much as many people love to brag about having the best rod, a fishing reel is very important. Different types of fishing will also demand a different type of reel at some point. We have been doing a lot of research and consulting with experts on the best fly fishing reels around, and below is our unbiased review and guide to help you handpick the right reel for your next fly fishing expedition. They sure will make your fly fishing fun and more efficient.
Best Pick – Piscifun Sword Fly Fishing Reel
Heavy Duty, Unparalleled Performance & Very Reliable
Piscifun sword fly fishing reel is the best fly fishing reel one can get in the market. It is untouchable in many aspects. First off, the design is incredible as it is made using high quality lightweight materials that ensures long life and efficiency. The reel has a very effective drag system that promotes quick retrieval and high precision. The attention to detail and input to this fly fishing reel sets it apart from the es.
Best Fly Fishing Reels In 2021
With able assistance from many fishermen and industry experts, we have finally come to a conclusion on the best fly fishing reels. Here is the countdown.
9. Aventik Z Fly Fishing Reel
Price: Affordable.
Special features: Graphite large harbor, Rugged central disc.
Fly line: 3/4, 5/6 7 7/8 Wt.
Aventik Z fly reel is designed using lightweight graphite and comes with a large arbor. It is fairly light and sturdy by market standards. It has been lined with a Polymeric material to add its durability and also make it resistant to corrosion. The large arbor has been designed to give users an advantage in quick retrieval and backing capacity.
To further take user convenience to the next level, the reel has a one-way bearing system to allow one to quickly switch hands while maintaining silence when doing forward retrieval. A lot has gone into perfecting the reel and it surely doesn’t disappoint.
Pros and Cons
- It is durable, thanks to the high quality materials used to make it.
- The reel offers a smooth drag and setting.
- Would be great if it came with a manual.
8. Okuma SLV Diecast Aluminum Fly Reel
Price: Affordable.
Special features: Multi-disk cork, stainless steel washers, precision bushing drive system, diecast aluminum frame, easy to use, non-slip grip.
Fly line: 2/3 & 10/11 options.
The Okuma SLV Diecast Aluminum Fly Reel is one of the best fly fishing reels you can get for your fishing adventures. It delivers high-quality tackles and grip to make your fishing expeditions successful. It has a large spool design for fast retrieval to help you keep pace with the fastest fish species in the water. The die-cast aluminum frame is very strong to guarantee you long-term use.
It has roller bearings on the multi-disc cork that allow you to drag the reel in only one direction. The precision bushing drive system makes the reel easy to use, which greatly enhances your fishing experience quality. Changing the retrieval from left to right is easy to allow to hold your catch effectively. There’s a non-slip rubberized handle that makes it easy to operate the reel while guaranteeing your safety. The SLV line selection begins at 2/3 and continues to 10/11, allowing you to align your efforts to your fishing needs.
Pros and Cons
- Changing the retrival from left to right is very easy
- The rubberized handle offers proper grip
- The large arbor spool design allows you to keep pace with the fastest fish species.
- The construction should be improved to prevent the screws from falling off.
7. Sougayilang Fly Fishing
Price: Low price tag.
Special features: Aluminum alloy body, Hard anodized surface, knurled metal screw caps.
Fly line: 5/6 & 7/8.
Sougayilang might be a new name to the ears of many fishermen, but who needs a name when a fisherman is getting one of the best fly fishing reels? It has been expertly crafted using a CNC machined aluminum alloy body and spool. Changing hands doesn’t affect retrieval, thanks to the knurled metal screw caps that loosen the spool when needed.
The quality, versatility and performance you get with this fly fishing reel is amazingly great. In all honesty, there are few fly fishing reels, if any, with such caliber that you will get for the meager price this one comes with.
Pros and Cons
- It has a very efficient retrieval system.
- It is durable, thanks to the heavy duty construction.
- Sealing the drag would have been a grand idea.
6. Croch Fly Fishing Reel
Price: Low price tag.
Special features: One-way clutch bearing system, aluminum alloy construction, Mid-arbor.
Fly line: 3/4, 5/6 & 7/8 Wt.
The aluminum alloy construction makes it lightweight, durable and anti-corrosive. The reel also has a stainless steel drag system in place which uses a one-way clutch bearing system for rapid drag and retrieval. It comes with mid-sized arbor which aims to balance control and fast retrieval.
The incredible construction of this fly fishing reel, ingenious design and durability makes it stand out from many in the market. It might not be the very best, but it definitely is worth giving a shot. All in all, it is a good investment that’s worth every penny.
Pros and Cons
- It is very durable, thanks to the construction it comes with.
- It offers incredible control and fast retrieval.
- Might not be the best for short rods.
5. Goture Fly Fishing Reel
Price: Low price range.
Special features: Sturdy Aluminum CNC frame, Compact design, Aluminum handle.
Fly line: Options of 3/4, 5/6, 7/8 & 9/10.
Sturdily designed with an Aluminum CNC frame that makes it sturdy, durable yet still light, the Goture fly fishing reel could be just what you are looking for. Tight spacing has been factored in the design of this reel’s moving parts which helps to make it smooth to operate and offer all the flexibility to the fisherman.
It comes with a very strong drag system and an advanced spool release configuration system for top consistency and performance. The fly fishing reel offers high precision, versatility and is very reliable. It is a good quality fly reel system that offers good precision and performance.
Pros and Cons
- It is very sturdy and durable yet still lightweight.
- The reel is convenient and designed to offer top performance.
- Some people find it to be smaller than they expected it to be.
4. M MAXIMUMCATCH Maxcatch ECO Fly Reel
Price: Affordable.
Special features: Die-cast aluminum body, Rugged disc drag.
Fly line: 3/4, 5/6 & 7/8 Wt.
M MaxiumCatch is yet another upcoming brand in the fishing arena, and it’s got something special to offer for fly fishers. This fly fishing reel is made using die-cast aluminum material that is super lightweight and designed with a large arbor for fast retrieval. It is designed with a rugged disc drag which helps to put serious pressure and ensure efficient functionality.
Perhaps the best thing that one would love with this fly fishing reel is its amazingly low price tag. It is a simple yet ingeniously designed to deliver excellent performance and make fly fishing amazing.
Pros and Cons
- Comes at a price that is hard to beat.
- It is very efficient and easy to use.
- Some fishermen have reported inconsistency in its quality over time.
3. Orvis Hydros SL Fly Reel
Price: Highly priced.
Special features: Large arbor, Sealed carbon drag, Narrow spool.
Fly line: Multiple options.
Orvis is a name that is popular among many fishermen, and there is always something good to say about their products. This fly fishing reel is well designed with high attention to detail and guarantees users top convenience and a more fun fly fishing experience.
The drag has been well sealed to ensure that it is weather ready and can be used under any condition without affecting user’s efficiency. It is designed with a narrow spool that ensures fast backing and retrieval rate as well as keeping you in total control. Overall, it is designed to give fishermen total control and make the fly fishing experience fun and easy.
Pros and Cons
- It is convenient and very flexible.
- The reel gives users total control and is very reliable.
- It could be cheaper.
2. Redington ZERO Fly Reel
Price: Fairly priced.
Special features: Ultralight, spring loaded, Large arbor design.
Fly line: 2/3 & 4/5 Wt.
There are lots of Redington reels in the market and to be fair, they are one of the best overall. This particular Redington Zero fly reel is an ultra-lightweight and designed for easy usage. It is made out of die-cast materials and is very lightweight as compared to most in its class. The twin-molding and ergonomic handles it comes with makes it smooth and easy to drag.
The reel also comes with a large arbor design that ensures fast retrieval without wasting any time. It is one of the lightest reliable light reel systems in the market that is easy to use.
Pros and Cons
- It has a handle and ergonomic control system that makes handling and using the reel a breeze.
- It is durable, thanks to the high quality die-cast materials.
- Switching hands makes retrieval very hard.
1. Piscifun Sword Fly Fishing Reel
Price: Fairly priced.
Special features: CNC-machined Aluminum Alloy, Silky smooth drag, Mid-arbor design.
Fly line: 3/4, 5/6, 7/8 & 9/10 Wt.
Piscifun Sword Fly Fishing Reel is the best fly fishing reel in the market. Buoyed by an ingenious yet solid construction, this fly fishing reel has gone above and beyond to punch above its weight and give the fisherman a grand experience in fly fishing. It is CNC-machined to the finest it can get and apart from making it anti-corrosive, one should also count it to last a lifetime.
There are multiple fly line weights to choose from giving users the option to get one that suits their rod style. The mid-arbor design ensures that line memory is efficiently reduced and that users get rapid retrieval.
Pros and Cons
- Retrieval is fast and easy.
- It comes with a high customer rating.
- It is lightweight, solid and very durable.
- The drag adjustment dial could use a little tightening.
Choosing The Best Fly Fishing Reel
Here are some of the most crucial aspects to look out for when you are shopping for the best fly fishing reel to buy.
Drag System
Perhaps the most important thing when one is choosing the right fishing reel is the drag system that it has. It helps to slow down and stop the spinning of the reel once you catch the fish. It makes all the differences to the fisherman. The reel should be smooth and sharp to stop the line when needed. If the drag system is poor, then you may as well lose your line and the fish caught.
Weight Balance
Nobody loves using a rod that feels heavy when fly fishing. You have to be as flexible as possible and weight balance is crucial at that moment. Reels come in different weights, and one should try to get one that is as lightweight as possible to ensure rod handling and balance is spot on. It also goes without saying that the reel should also balance the of since there are rods that could be heavier and need a more weighty reel. The key is balancing.
Handle Orientation
While some fishermen are flexible and able to use both hands, most of us don’t. Some are right handed and others are left handed. There is little one can do about that, but the one thing that they can is to choose a reel that matches their hand orientation. Most reels have a right hand orientation, but there is still a lion share of left hand options too.
Construction
Yet another crucial factor that one must consider when they are buying a fly fishing reel is the structure and materials used. some of the common materials you will find in the market includes die-cast and machined metal reels. Although die-cast reels are great, you can opt to go with the machined metals one, even though they are generally pricier. This is due to the process being used to make them.
Conclusion
Fly fishing is fun, but not not without the right fishing equipment. Everything has to be perfect if you are to come home with a catch. Many people do not pay attention to the reel that they choose and that could be costing them. In this comprehensive guide, we have outlined and reviewed some of the best fly fishing reels worth putting your money on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the best reel size for fly fishing?
A: Size is something that one must adhere to when choosing the perfect fly fishing reel. The size of the reel should give you the much needed flexibility without affecting your strength and flexibility when fishing. It needs to be lightweight for light rods and heavy duty for heavy rods to ensure that one has good balance.
Q: What the best reel for salmon fishing?
A: As much as many people would like to think that reels are the same, there are good reels for certain fish species. Salmons for instance swim fast which means that you should have a reel with enough line capacity. You can always check the reel size specifications when buying a fishing reel.
Q: Is more bearings in a fishing reel better?
A: More ball bearings makes a reel operate smooth than those with less ball bearings. However, what really matters is the grade of the ball bearings used in the reel. For instance, you could get better performance with a reel made of 8 stainless steel ball bearings as compared to a reel made of 10 chrome ball bearings. how the ball bearings have been positioned also maters.
Q: How do you know what size reel to buy?
A: Having known the reel that you are looking for and what you intend to use it for, you should check the reel size on the spool of the reel. If it helps, medium sized reels usually have 10-17lb mono or fluoro line.
